Showing posts with label t2i. Show all posts
Showing posts with label t2i. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

T2i Firmware update v1.0.8

Download

From Canon.jp:

What's new in Version 1.0.8?

The following fixes have been incorporated.

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves unexpectedly when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).

Supplemental Information: This phenomenon involves the aperture of the lens moving unexpectedly when the focusing ring moves (during focusing). Please note that aperture values also change when operating the zoom ring of a zoom lens that has variable maximum aperture values; however, this is a normal operation because the camera controls aperture values properly depending on the focal length (zoom position).

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Jackie Chan T2i



Canon has presented Jackie Chan with the "2010 Jackie Chan Special Edition 550D." The name of the kit is the Eye of the Dragon. Some think this is cheesy, but many can see the cool factor. It's not just a celebrity endorsement, Chan actually uses and enjoys Canon products. This edition of course is aimed at the enthusiasts, and collectors alike. On Chan's blog, he noted that he was very excited about the release and made note of the special attention to detail when designing the kit. It is available for 10,000 Yuan, or $1400USD. It has only been released in China, at a limited production run of 2,010 units.

Canon China

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Press Release: Canon XF305 and XF300

Read the press release here: http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20100407_xf_procamcorders.html
 
CANON'S NEW XF305 AND XF300 PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDERS RECORD
NATIVE 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 VIDEO DIRECTLY TO COMPACT FLASH CARDS

Both Models Utilize an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps Codec for Exceptional HD
Image Quality, Full NLE Compatibility and an Efficient, Robust Workflow

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 7, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announces the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders. Both new models employ an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec – Canon XF Codec – for capturing and recording native 1920 x 1080 video onto affordable, universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards. Uniting video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF305 and XF300 use an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open source format, to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE)systems. Priced under $8,000 per model, the Canon XF305 and XF300 are engineered for multiple production applications including broadcast news, documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography. Canon will be demonstrating a variety of professional applications for the Canon XF305 and XF300 at the Company's booth# C4325 at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders include a Genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens providing documentary filmmakers and news camera operators with the focal-range versatility required in the field. Designed with input from professional users, each model includes three Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and the new Canon XF Codec for extreme color detail required for accurate chroma-keying, color-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking. For finer transitions in tone and color, 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the color resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats. In addition, Canon's XF305 model features industry- standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera or 3-D productions.

"The creation of HD video content continues to grow across every market category," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "We are proud to introduce the new Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders, which provide extraordinary image quality, a generous array of features and seamless integration with file-based workflows, all at an attractive price. These camcorders provide the convenience, production cost and quality that the HD video market has been asking for."

Further adding to the low total-cost-of-ownership of the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders is their use of CF cards. In addition to rugged, solid-state construction and the speed and ease of file transfer to computers, CF cards are cost effective and widely available, unlike proprietary memory systems. The new Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature hot-swappable dual card slots and support UDMA CF cards for maximum performance.

To support the swift adoption of the Canon XF Codec, Canon has worked in cooperation with major editing and post-production software developers, including Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley, to ensure compatibility with leading software programs widely used within the video production and broadcast industries.

Genuine Canon Optics with Image Stabilization
Leveraging the Company's expertise as a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance optics, the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature a Genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens with a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 29.3 – 527.4mm and a Full Manual Focus mode with mechanical "hard" end stops and distance markers for professional operability and repeatable manual focus. Canon utilized HI-UD (high-index, ultra low dispersion), UD and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and provide a compact size and weight to the lens – while also delivering a resolution of approximately 1,000 TV lines. The lens also features a new SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system featuring Dynamic and Powered modes for optimal performance in the greatest variety of situations.

DIGIC DV III Image Processor
At the heart of Canon's XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorder models is Canon's proprietary DIGIC DV III Image Processor, which ensures natural, lifelike colors and captures tonal gradations and shadow detail with remarkable accuracy. The DIGIC DV III Image Processor also powers Canon's innovative Face Detection Technology, an autofocus option that can significantly reduce the effort required when camera operators work alone, such as in news applications.

To maximize the camcorders' adaptability across various production environments, Canon equipped each model with the ability to record at multiple bit rates, resolutions and variable frame rates for slow and fast motion.

Code:
Mode Resolution Frame Rate
50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 1920 x1080 60i/30p/24p
50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 1280 x 720 60p/30p/24p
35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 1920 x1080 60i/30p/24p
35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 1280 x 720 60p/30p/24p
25Mbps (CBR) 4:2:0 1440 x1080 60i/30p/24p

CBR = Continuous Bit Rate VBR = Variable Bit Rate
Additional professional features include variable-interval (for time-lapse) and frame-record for stop-motion animation, and a photo feature for frame-grabs.

Refined Ergonomics and Operation
The Canon XF305 and XF300 are designed to maximize shooting comfort and usability. The well-balanced design allows the operator to comfortably control the camcorder and easily maintain a steady shot while minimizing arm fatigue. Each camcorder also features a convenient, freely rotating 4.0-inch, 1.23-megapixel LCD monitor that can be positioned at either the right or left side of the camcorder body, allowing for easy viewing even in the most difficult shooting positions.

The LCD monitor also provides a display of the camcorders' built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope to aid in achieving accurate exposure and color levels while shooting. Additionally, the LCD can show peaking, edge-monitor-focus and magnify the image, enabling users to confirm critical focus, an essential objective in all HD production.

The Canon XF305 and XF300 models also come equipped with a 0.52-inch, 1.55-megapixel color electronic viewfinder, providing ample resolution for critical focus and approximately 100 percent field-of-view coverage for accurate judgment of composition.

Audio Flexibility
The Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature a built-in stereo microphone as well as dual XLR inputs for external audio sources. The new camcorders support 16-bit PCM audio at 48 kHz with automatic and manual audio level adjustment

Pricing and Availability
Canon's XF305 Professional Camcorder is scheduled to be available in late June for an estimated retail price of $7,999. Canon's XF300 Professional Camcorder is scheduled to be available in late June for an estimated retail price of $6,799.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

5DMkii firmware update: v2.0.3!

UPDATE 3/19/10: Firmware v2.0.4 released. Use original link below.

UPDATE 3/18/10: Do not install this firmware until further notice. According to Canon there is a bug with the audio. They are looking into the issue.

download
Yesterday, Canon finally cut the fishing line and let the dangling 5DMkii firmware update fall into our hands. It has a flurry of enhancements [listed below] but I think most were waiting for one thing: Native 24P. Of course, 7D owners already enjoyed this luxury, as did those of the T2i. Canon made it known last year that the 5DMkii would be receiving this update, however they only did it to drive you mad. Philip Bloom has already offered his first impressions.

Canon 5DMkii firmware release date: Monday, March 15, 2010.

To install, download the file onto a CF card, and then select the new firmware from the menu [on screen instructions]. Or you can waste precious play time reading 8 pages of install instructions. Either way click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page and accept the user agreement. On the next page be sure to specify whether your machine is a Windows or OSX, says Canon.

from Canon.com

Firmware Version 2.0.3 incorporates five enhancements to the movie function and a fix to the manual sensor cleaning function of the EOS 5D Mark II camera

1. Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.

* NTSC:
o 1920x1080 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97fps)
o 1920x1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
o 640x480 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97fps)
* PAL:
o 1920x1080 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
o 1920x1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
o 640x480 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)

2. Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
3. Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
4. Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
5. Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
6. Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

Affected Product
EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR

Firmware
The new firmware (Version 2.0.3) is now available for download from the following URL: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dm2/firmware.html

Notes:
Firmware Version 2.0.3 is for EOS 5D Mark II cameras with firmware up to Version 1.2.4. If the camera's firmware is already Version 2.0.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Movies captured using EOS 5D Mark II cameras with Firmware Version 1.1.0 to 1.2.4 can be played back on cameras updated with Firmware Version 2.0.3. However, if you try to play back movies captured with a camera with the new firmware on a camera with a previous firmware version, a message, Cannot play back image, appears on the camera's LCD monitor.

It is recommended that you use the latest Canon applications1 to edit movies captured with EOS 5D Mark II cameras that have the latest firmware because some previous versions do not support movie-editing functions and the frame rates that are added or changed by the latest firmware. You can download the latest Canon applications from our Web site.

1 ZoomBrowser EX Version 6.5.0 or later (compatible
operating systems:Windows XP/Vista/7)
ImageBrowser Version 6.5.0 or later (compatible
operating systems: Mac OS X v10.4/10.5/10.6)

In addition to the enhancements to the movie function, the accompanying instruction manual has also been revised. Users are asked to download both the latest firmware and the latest instruction manual.
When updating the firmware of your camera, please first read the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Welcome to Photography Bloger! 1G!


Welcome to the first generation of "The Photography Blogger." More or less we try to highlight blogs that deserve to be highlighted. From time to time we will have tutorials as well as industry news, but the focus here is the people, the bloggers. Many Photographers are realizing more and more the importance of a website, blog or both to showcase their work, as well as share experiences. With my background in web-design, I know a little bit [no seriously, a little bit] about getting the word out. And that's why we are here. Bare with us as in the beginning things may look a little bare, but it's all about the content, and that's what we are here to share. Now go take pictures!

Follow our tweets: @photogblogger